Apparatus for projecting liquid jets



Dec. 4, 1945. j 1 TIMPSQN 2,390,280

APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING LIQUID JETS Filed Dec. 26, 1942 5 .INVENTOR.

[aw/s 6/1/0204? 7Zl/P60/V Patented Dec-4,1945 2,390,280

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlC APPARATUS FOR r it gii z rmo LlQUID Jars I Lewis G. Morris Timpson, Plainfield, N. J., as-

signor to Pyrene Development Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application December 26, 1942, Serial No. 470,125

13 Claims. (Cl. 261-116) and of causing said jet'or stream to aspirate relatively large quantities of air or other gas. It is in the form of a solid cone, This is particularly advantageous when the jet is permitted to aspirate air for the production of air foam, but it is advantageous also for various purposes when particularly concerned with the projection of a 6 plain water or other liquids are projected.

foam forming solution in a manner enabling it A further object of the invention has been to to aspirate and combine with a large volum of produce a distorted vena contracta for the imair for the production of fire extinguishing foam. proved aspiration of air in the making of air The present case is a continuation in part of foam. my pending application Ser. No. 417,220, filed A still further object of the invention has been October 3 1941, and is in part directed to a to provide a simple and inexpensive nozzle condivisible portion of the invention disclosed in said struction capable of efllcient operation in the application. manner indicated in the foregoing.

In the production of air foam, as distinguished Other objects, features and advantages of the from chemical foam, for fire extinguishing pur- 16 invention will appear from a detailed description poses, a jet of liquid is discharged into a receiver of several illustrative embodimentsof the same or other conduit in such a way as to aspirate air. which will now be given in conjunction with the The liquid either contains a previously introaccompanying drawing, inwhich: duced foam stabilizer or a material of this char- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through acter is introduced simultaneously with the air. .20 approximately the center of a nozzle suitable for As a result th air is combined with the water purposes of this invention, and and stabilizer to form a foam suitable for delivery Fig. 2 is a similar view through a modified form to and use upon a fire. of nozzle.

An object of the invention has been to produce. Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, numeral I! a jet of liquid or foam forming solution of such .25 indicates a hose, pipe or other conduit for supcharacter or insuch a manner that a relatively plying liquid under pressure to the enlarged large amount of air willbe aspirated and comchamber IS. The side of chamber IGopposite bined with the solution so as to form a large pipe I5 is closed by a plate I! having a flange I 8 volume of foam. At the same time it has been carrying threads to engage corresponding threads an object to produce a foam of the character on the wall of the chamber l6. This plate may, indicated which is of good quality and durability, of course, be simply welded or otherwise secured without an excessive drop in the pressure availin place if desired. Plate I 1 is provided with a able for advancing the foam and projecting it centrally located orifice l9 having relatively onto the fire. sharp edges 20 inside the chamber IS. A short Another object has been to provide an aspirattube 2| is attached to the outlet side of the orifice ing jet of the type mentioned, and under the I9 and is provided a short distance along the conditions set forth, with a minimum danger of passageway with a number of lateral perforaclcgging the nozzles employed for the production tions or openings 22. of the jet. This is an important feature of the With such a construction of nozzle, the liquid invention since the water from the sources of approaching the corners 20 to pass out through supply ordinarilyavailable for fire extinguishing the orifice I9 is largely moving laterally inward. purposes frequently carries suspended particles Because of this factor, the'smallest diameter of of foreign matter of considerable size. While it the liquid jet passing out through orifice l9 will is readily possible to screen out the large particles be substantially smaller than the actual diamby a screen located conveniently in advance of eter of the orifice l9. This liquid jet will then the aspirating nozzle, it is not practicable to tend to spreadout as it moves away from the provide a screen to eliminate the smaller particles orifice until by the time it reaches the outer end which are still large enough to clog an ordinary of the tube 2|, it will again be substantially the nozzle having an orifice of a diameter to provide same diameter-as the diameter of the orifice IS. the desired jet. Accurate construction and fre- If the perforations 22 in'the tube are not emquent inspection of ordinary nozzles, when used ployed, the liquid jet passing through the orifice for the purpose, are required to insure proper l9 will tend to form a vacuum between the outer operation. surface of the jet and the inner surface of the A special feature of the invention is that the' tube 2|, thus causing the liquid to conform more improved nozzle is capable of projecting a jet closely to the walls of the tube 2| and producing .normal turbulence. By introducing the ing through the pipe I to reduce its forward speed and mov out laterally into the enlarged chamber l6. This liquid then has to flow laterally inward towards the orifice |9in orderfto v pass out through it. As a practical matter, it is desirable to have a chamber l6 which is in diameter at least eight times the diameter of the orifice IS. A chamber which is ten timesthe diameter-of orifice IS in size is satisfactory for most purposes. The orifice I9 is illustrated as circular in cross sectionbut may, of course, be

at the entrance'to a passage 40 which extends through the tubular. portion. A series of apertures or small openings 4| is provided around the tubular portion, these extending, preferably radially through the wall of the tube. At its base the tubular portion 31 may suitably be flared outwardly to provide a frusto-conical section 42 which merges into the main inner surface 43 of the discharge element, "this being flush with the inner surfacefof ,the wall 3|. On its outer face the element 33 is provided with a frusto-conical discharge orifice 44. This forms an outwardly made square, triangular, or of any other suitable shape.

In Fig. 2 there is disclosed a. modified construction embodying the same broad principles as the construction illustrated in Fig. 1 but difierent specifically in form and operation. Water or other liquid, such as a foam producing solution, 1. e., water containing a foam stabilizer, may be delivered through a pipe or hose or other conduit 23 into the interior of a nozzle indicated generally at 24. This nozzle may have a screw-threaded flange 25 with internal threads adapted to engage external threads at the end of the pipe or hose line 23. A rubber washer 25a, or the like, may be provided between the end of the conduit 23 and a shoulder 28 within a nozzle. The water or other liquid delivered through the pipe 23 is passed into a main chamber 21 within the nozzle, the first portion of this chamber being of slightly smaller cross section than the delivery conduit. As a result of this, a part of the stream will be directed against the fiat shoulder 26 and will be deflected inwardly by the latter and forced to slightly beyond the apertures 4|.

Asindicatedby the arrows, the flow of the water or. other, liquid within the portion 29 of the chamber i'ssuch that a part is directed radially inwardly through the openings 4| into the interlorofthe tubular extension 31. Another part moving radially inward adjacent the inner end of the tubular extension 31 merges with a part of the stream which passes axially into-the tubular extension and thus provides the effect described'in connection'with Fig. 1. Due to the sharp corner 39 and the merging of the difierentparts of the stream in the manner indicated; the liquid entering the tubular extension assumes a cross section less than the internal diameter of this extension up to the point at which it is met by the water flowing inwardly through the openings 4|. From this point on the tube is completely filled and as the water reaches the conical discharge orifice 44, it expands outwardly and forms a substantially solid, conical spray. This conical'spray is excellently suited for the incorporation of air to form foam,

' in the manner hereinbefore indicated. For this mingle with the rest of the stream which passes directly into the chamber 21. In this way a substantial amount of interference and turbulence is initiated at the periphery of the stream. This I screw-threaded engagement with the end wall and provided with a radially extending flange 34 which serves to clamp a gasket or washer 35 against the outer face of the wall 3|. A plurality of grooves 36 may be provided in the outer face of the discharge element for the receipt of an appropriate wrench to tighten the element in place. At itsv inner end the discharge element is provided with an inwardly projecting tubular portion 31 extending axiallyinto the portion 29 of the chamber. The inner end of this tubular extension is preferably chamfered, as indicated 7 at 38, but it is provided with a sharp corner 3.

purpose the nozzle may be arranged to discharge into a suitable receiver, a portion of which is shown at 45 in Figure 2. This receiver may suitably be of the type illustrated in my pending application, Ser. No. 417,220, above mentioned. A large quantity of air may be readily aspirated in this manner and combined with the liquid, which in this case should contain a suitable quantity of an appropriate foam stabilizer. The foam stabilizer may, if desired, be incorporated by aspiration in advance of the nozzle 24, induced by the flow of the water under pressure derived from a hydrant or the like, or it may be introduced in advance of the pump which applies the pressure to the stream. It will be understood that the form of nozzle disclosed in Fig. 1 may also be used in conjunction with a receiver in the same manner to produce air foam.

Due to the tendency of'the stream to assume a cross section of less diameter than the passage IS in Fig. 1 or passage 40. in Fig. 2, it will be seen that these passages may be formed of larger diameter than an ordinary discharge orifice adapted to discharge a predetermined volume of liquid. Accordingly, relatively large particles of foreign matter may be carried along in the stream without danger of clogging the passage. Moreover, due to the interaction of the conflicting streams which are brought together at theentrance to the tubular extension and within the latter, a high degree of dispersion of the projected spray results. When this is used for the production of air foam a large volume of air is readily incorporated and an excellent, durable foam is formed. This is accomplished, furthermore, without excessive retardation of the forward movement of the stream.

While the invention is not restricted to the emas follows: Referring to Fig. 2, assuming the pipe 23 has an outside diameter of about 2 /2 inches, the chamber 21 has an inside diameter of about 1% inches in the initial portion and about 2 inches in the enlarged portion 29. Thethreaded opening 32: is suitably of about inch diameter while tubular extension 31 is inch long, has an internal diameter of .187 inch and has a series of four apertures 4| of {s inch diameter. These apertures are positioned with their axes about 1 6 of an inch from the inlet end of the tubular extension. The angle of the frusto-conical discharge orifice 44 may suitably be about 60.

As indicated, the precise dimensions of the various elements may be varied to suit particular requirements and so also the relationship between the various dimensions may be varied to a certain extent without departing from the general principles and scope of the invention. In general, however, it may be stated that the diameter of the passage 40 one-eighth, and preferably not more than onetenth, of the diameter of the portion 29 of the chamber. The ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the portion 29 and the passage 4|] of the chamber should, accordingly, be preferably about a hundred to one although it may be as low as fifty to one, or under some circumstances even less. The distance from the inlet end of the passage 40 to the plane through the axes of the apertures II should be at least equal to the diameter of the passage 40.

Various changes. in addition to those suggested above, may be made in the construction, arrangement and general relationship'of the parts without departing from th invention. The terms and expressions used herein have been used as terms of descri tion and not of limitation.

, What I claim is:

1. .A nozzle for projecting a jet of liquid comprising a chamber of relatively large diameter arranged to receive a stream of liquid under pressure, discharge means in a wall of said chamber, said means having a passage therethrough of a diameter not more than'about one-eighth that of said chamber, saldpassage having a sharp edge at its inlet, and said means having apertures communicating with said passage at an angl to the axis thereof and intermediate the ends thereof.

2. A nozzle for projecting a jet of liquid comprising a chamber of relatively large diameter arranged to receive a stream of liquid under pres sure, discharge means in a wall of said chamber, said means having a passage therethrough of diameter not more than about one-eighth that of said chamber, said passage having a sharp edge at its inlet, and said means having apertures providing additional inter-communication between said chamber and said passage intermediate the ends of the latter.

3. A nozzle for projecting a jet of liquid comprising a chamber of relatively large diameter arranged to receive a. stream of liquid under pressure, discharge means in a wall of said chamber, said means having a passage therethrough of 7 means having radially extending passages with:

4. A nozzle for projecting a jet of liquid comprising a chamber of relatively large diameter arranged to receive a stream of liquid under pressure, discharge means in a wall of said chamber, said means having a passage therethrough of substantially less diameter than said chamber, said passage having a sharp edge at its inlet, and said in said chamber communicating directly with said first-mentioned passage for introducing additional liquid from said chamber into the stream should notice more than about flowing through the passage.

5. Apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam which comprises a receiver, a nozzle for projecting a jet of foam-forming liquid into said receiver, said nozzle being so arranged in relation to said receiver as to aspirate air upon the projection of said liquid into the receiver, said nozzle having an enlarged chamber through which said liquid is passed and a discharge tube connected with a wall of said chamber and forming an outlet therefrom, said tube having a sharp entrance edge and having apertures extending through its wall from the exterior tothe interior thereof intermediate its ends in a region at a distance from the inlet end of said tube about equal to the di- 'ameter of the passage through said tube.

substantially less diameter than said chamber,

said passage having a sharp edge at its inlet, and said means having apertures providing additional inter-communication between said chamber and said passage intermediate the ends of the latter, said apertures leading into said passage at an angle to the axis thereof.

6. Apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam which comprises a receiver, a nozzle for projecting a jet of foam-forming liquid into said receiver, said nozzle being so arranged in relation to said receiver as to aspirate air upon the projection of said liquid into the receiver, said nozzle having an enlarged chamber through which said liquid is passed and a discharge tube connected with a wall of said chamber and extending inwardly into the chamber, said tube having a sharp entrance edge and having apertures providing additional inter-communication between said chamber and the interior of said tube.

'7. Apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam which comprises a receiver. a nozzle for projecting a jet of foam-forming liquid into said receiver, said nozzle being so arranged in relation to said receiver as to aspirate air upon the projection of said liquid into the receiver, said nozzle having an enlarged chamber through which said liquid is passed and a discharge tube connected with a wall of said chamber and forming an outlet therefrom, said tube havinga passage therethrough of a diameter not exceeding one-eighth that of said chamber, the entrance edge of the passage through said tube being sharp, and said tube having perforations in the wall thereof.

8. Apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam which comprises a receiver. a nozzle for projecting a jet of foam-forming liquid into said receiver, said nozzle being so arranged in relation to said receiver as to aspirate air upon the projection of said liquid into the receiver, said nozzle having an enlarged chamber through which said liquid is passed and a discharge tube connected with a wall of said chamber and forming an outlet therefrom, said tube extending into said chamber and having a passage therethrough of a, diameter not exceeding one-eighth that of said chamber, the entrance edge of the passage through said tube being sharp, and said tube having perforations in the wall thereof providing intercommunication between said chamber and said passage. 7

9. Apparatus for producing fireextinguishing foam which comprises areceiver, a nozzle for projecting a jet of foam-forming liquid into said receiver, said nozzle being so arranged in relation to said receiver as to aspirate air upon the projection of said liquid into the receiver, said nozzle having a chamber through which said liquid is passed and a discharge tube connected with a wall of said chamber and having a passage forming an outlet therefrom, said chamber being enlarged adjacent said wall, said passage through said tube having a sharp entrance edge and having apertures extending through its wall from the exterior to the interior thereof intermediate its ends, said apertures being arranged to break the vacuum in said tube at a short distance from the inlet thereof.

10. Apparatus for producing fire extinguishing foam which comprises a receiver, a nozzle for projecting a jet of foam-forming'liquid into said receiver, said nozzle being .so arranged in relation to said receiver as to aspirate air upon the pro jection of said liquid into the receiver, said nozzle having a chamber through which said liquid is Passed and a discha e tube in the end wall of said chamber extending into the chamber, said chamber being enlarged in the region of said tube, the cross-sectional area of the enlarged portion of the chamber being at least fifty times that of the interior of said tube, said tube having a sharp edge at its entrance and being apertured some distance from the end thereof to provide additional intercommunication between said chamber and the in-.

terior of said tube.

11. A nozzle for projecting a jet of liquid comprising a chambered member adapted to be applied to a liquid conduit, discharge means in the end of said member, said means' having a tubular portion extending into the chamber within said member, said tubular portion having a passage therethrough of not more than one-eighth the diameter of said chamber, said passage being provided with a sharp edge at its inlet end, and openings through the wall of said tubular portion at points spaced from the inlet end of said passage a distance substantially equal to the diameter of said passage.

12. A nozzle for projecting a jet of liquid comprising a chambered member adapted to be applied to a liquid conduit, discharge means in the end of said member, said means having a tubular portion extending into the chamber within said member, said tubular portion having a passage therethrough of not more than one-eighth thediameter of said chamber, said passage being provided with a sharp edge at its inlet end, and openings through the wall of said tubular portion at points spaced from the inlet end of said passage a distance substantially equal to the diameter of said passage, said discharge means having an outwardly flared discharge orifice axially alined with said passage.

13. A nozzle for projecting a jet of liquid comprising a chambered member adapted to be applied to a liquid conduit, discharge means in the end of said member, said means having a tubular portion extending into the chamber within said LEWIS G. MORRIS TIMPSON. 

